New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated his Independence Day call for 100,000 youth without political background to enter politics. Urging the youth to enter public life to achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’, Modi said the country needs to revive the spirit of countless people from all walks of life without political background that they had shown during the freedom movement.
The prime minister said his Independence Day appeal to the youth to enter politics had drawn widespread reactions, with some even claiming that dynastic politics was destroying new talent.
Referring to his address from the Red Fort on August 15, he said, “This year, from the Red Fort, I appealed to young people without any political background to join the political system. This point elicited a tremendous response. So we know that many of our young people are ready to enter politics.”
“They are just looking for the right opportunity and the right guidance. I have also received letters from youth across the country on this issue. The response on social media too has been tremendous. People have sent me many suggestions. Some youth have written in their letters that it is really unimaginable for them. Due to the lack of political legacy…” Mr Modi said, adding that some youth have written that dynastic politics is destroying new talent.
“Some young people have mentioned that such efforts will strengthen our democracy. I thank everyone who sent suggestions in this regard. I hope that now, through our joint efforts, young people without political backgrounds will be able to enter politics; their experience and zeal will prove useful for the country,” he said.
“Even during the freedom struggle, many people who had no political background came forward. They took the step for India’s freedom. And once again, we need the same spirit to achieve the goal of Vikasit Bharat,” the Prime Minister said, urging the youth to actively join this campaign as this step of theirs will change the future of the country.
In the 113th episode of Mann ki Baat, Mr Modi noted that the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and ‘Poora Desh Tiranga’ campaigns were a resounding success. “We saw the tricolour flying on houses as well as schools, colleges and universities. Some people decorated their shops, offices with the tricolour… Others did the same on their desktops, mobile phones and even in their vehicles. When people join hands to express a feeling, it gives unparalleled glory to any campaign,” he said.
The Prime Minister mentioned that 50 million selfies were posted on the website Har Ghar Tiranga and said that this campaign has brought a sense of unity across the country and this is exactly ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
In his address, the Prime Minister stated that the country has benefited greatly from the reforms in the space sector and pointed out that India celebrated its first National Space Day on August 23 to mark the first anniversary of the successful landing of its spacecraft on the Moon.
Giving examples of the bond between humans and animals, Mr Modi spoke about the village of Barekuri in Assam, where people of the Moran community have a close bond with white-handed gibbons. He also referred to the case of Arunachal Pradesh, where young people have started using 3D printing technology to protect wild animals from being hunted for their horns and tusks.
The Prime Minister also praised the efforts of the people behind a park in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua, where wonderful works of art have been created out of waste. He championed toy recycling, saying this is another area where “we can work together”.
The Prime Minister said that many children get bored of their toys within a very short time, but there are also children for whom such toys are a dream. “Toys that your children no longer play with can be given away to places where they will still be useful,” he said.
He urged people to participate in nutrition awareness campaigns, saying: “A small effort on your part will go a long way in the fight against malnutrition.”
The Prime Minister also mentioned that August 29 is Telugu Bhasha Diwas. “It is truly an amazing language. I wish all Telugu speakers across the world a very happy Telugu Bhasha Diwas,” he said.
Mr Modi also urged people to join the ‘Catch the Rain’ movement.
